Low-Carb Snack Ideas for People with Diabetes

If you need a pick-me-up between meals, a snack with 15-20 grams of carbohydrate is often the answer. For someone with diabetes, it's important to eat a fiber-filled and nutrient-rich snack to curb the appetite before the next meal, says Angela Ginn-Meadow, a registered dietitian and a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. Talk to your health care provider about whether a snack will work in your meal plan.

Fruit and Nut Yogurt

Need a snack that will help you go the extra mile? Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried cranberries and 1 tablespoon toasted slivered almonds atop a 6-ounce carton of plain fat-free Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt has more protein than its regular counterpart to keep you satisfied longer, and the sweet cranberries will balance the tangy zip of the yogurt.

Cereal Nut Mix

Get a good dose of fiber by mixing 1/2 cup unsweetened miniature shredded wheat cereal, 1 tablespoon dried cranberries, and 1 tablespoon roasted pistachio nuts. By using unsalted nuts, you'll keep the sodium to a record low of 2 milligrams.

Pear and Cheese

Pears and cheese go together like peanut butter and jelly. So next time you need a hearty snack, choose a small pear and a light cheese stick. The cheese will help you meet your calcium goal by providing 16 percent of your daily needs, and the pear provides 4 grams of fiber, getting you that much closer to the recommended 25-35 grams a day.

Avocado-Tomato Open-Face Sandwich

Mash 1/4 of a peeled avocado and stir in a dash of garlic salt. Spread onto a slice of toasted whole grain bread and top with a couple of tomato slices for a snack that is packed with flavor and fiber. Even with the generous amount of avocado, this snack contains only 150 calories.

Mini Pizza

For a super quick snack anyone will love, toast half of a round whole grain sandwich thin and top with a couple tomato slices, one sliced fresh mushroom, and a couple tablespoons of shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. Pop it under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes for a warm, melty treat. The best part -- it's only 100 calories.

Yogurt and Fruit Parfait

For a fun, flavorful way to get 25 percent of your daily calcium needs, whip up a quick fruit and yogurt parfait. Layer a 6-ounce carton of fat-free lemon-flavor yogurt with 1/3 cup fresh raspberries and 3 tablespoons puffed wheat, kamut, or millet cereal. Be sure to choose yogurt that is sweetened with an artificial sweetener.

Cucumber-Topped Rye Crisps

Rye crisps make an all-star snack because they are fat-free, low in sodium, and oh, so crunchy. Jazz them up by spreading 2 rye crisps with 2 tablespoons light onion-flavor cream cheese and topping with 1/4 cup sliced cucumber.

Strawberries and Fruit Dip

Strawberries pick up the slack to provide vitamin C in the summer when oranges are out of season. For a creamy dip to serve with a cup of fresh strawberries -- which will provide 150 percent of your daily vitamin C needs -- stir together 1 tablespoon light cream cheese and 1 tablespoon low-sugar orange marmalade.

Hummus Roll-Ups

Add some veggies to your diet with these simple, flavorful roll-ups. Spread 2 tablespoons purchased hummus on an 8-inch low-carb tortilla. Top with 1/4 of a red sweet pepper, sliced, and four quartered cherry tomatoes. Roll up the tortilla and cut into 1-inch slices for bite-size treats.

Milk

For a boost of calcium and a dash of creamy goodness, down a 10-ounce glass of skim or 1 percent milk. Opting for low-fat milk is good for your heart, too, because whole milk has five times more saturated fat.

Apple

Apples come in so many varieties, it's easy to find the perfect flavor. Choose one small apple at snack time for a serving of fruit that's also a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup.

English Muffin with Cheese and Apple Slices

Want a snack with ooey-gooey melted cheese? You're in the right place with this combo snack that includes half of a whole wheat English muffin, 1 ounce low-fat cheese, and a couple of apple slices (about 1/4 of a small apple). Set it in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few seconds for a chewy snack that hits the spot.

Strawberries and Cottage Cheese

For a snack that mixes a serving of dairy with a serving of fresh fruit, combine 1 cup of strawberries and 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese. The combo provides a boost of vitamin C and calcium to your day.

Crackers with Peanut Butter

A little bit salty and a little bit sweet, a little bit crunchy and a little bit creamy, this snack combines the best of all worlds. Put together four of your own peanut butter cracker sandwiches or buy a 4-pack from the vending machine. Just make sure to use only 2 teaspoons of peanut butter total to keep it carb-friendly and opt for low-sodium crackers to keep sodium at bay.

Pudding with Banana Slices

Yes, you can have pudding! Just grab 1/2 cup of your favorite sugar-free pudding flavor, top with a few slices of banana, and you're good to go. Look for versions of pudding with calcium for an extra health boost. Plus, convenient snack packs make it even easier to take this treat with you.

Carrots with Ranch Dressing

For a boost of beta carotene, fiber, and vitamin A, you can't do much better than snacking on 15 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons light ranch dressing. Many supermarkets sell individual snack packs of carrots, too.

Pita Bread Pocket with Hummus

Hummus isn't just a fun party dip, it's a great everyday snack option, too. Made from ground garbanzo beans (chick peas), hummus is a flavorful way to get your fiber. Spread 1 tablespoon of hummus on half of a pita bread pocket (1 ounce) for a delicious low-fat snack.